 |
 |
THE COUNTRY OF ASHANTI
Ghana
Departure: Accra • Arrival: Accra
Category: Special Trip
• 8 days in Ghana
• overnights in hotels
One week completely dedicated to a country which is full of interesting evidences of the portoguese colonization and offers extraordinary occasions to plunge in the folklore of his populations, especialyy the Akwasidae festival of Ashanti in Kumasi.
The people of Ghana are famous for their overwhelming tradition of hospitality.
Meeting and getting to know the people is a priority on this tour. Everywhere:
smiling people, friendly exclamations, festivals, dances!
Even funerals here are celebrated with great festivity. Hundreds of people
dressed in glorious traditional costumes in black and red, celebrate the
passage of the deceased to the world of their ancestors.
We will also visit particular sites which are rich in history and which
today continue to vibrate with life and culture. On the coast there are
many old castles and forts and it was here where the Europeans first began
to discover Black Africa. Elmina castle is the oldest on the entire continent.
Seamen, adventurers, traders in gold and slaves: all passed through here…
At Kumasi, the Ashanti King lives surrounded by his court. Founded in
the 17th century, the Ashanti Kingdom still plays a key role amongst people.
In certain days of the year the Ashanti celebrate at the Royal Palace
a big ceremony called Akwasidae. During the celebration the King is seated
under a spectacular umbrella of colorful, draped cloth, adorned with massive
gold jewelry (the Ashanti gold jewelry and masks are considered masterpieces
of African art). In front of the King, a narrow passage is formed, made
up of dignitaries with various functions: ritual sword bearers, guards
armed with muskets, knife bearers responsible for carrying out executions,
carriers of beautiful fans made of ostrich feathers.
Seated at the side of the King are the Ashanti elders and the advisors
under the authority of the Royal Speaker, who holds in his hands the symbols
of power covered in gold. The ceremony is made up of a procession of the
royal court attendants who bring forth gifts, storytellers who recite
the history of the Ashanti Kings, drummers, and trumpeters playing horns
of ivory. Corpulent dancers dressed in vivid, red costumes, perform an
erotic dance. The queen mother then joins the ceremony accompanied by
her attendants.
We will leave Ghana after visiting Accra, the large, peaceful capital
of the country. It is an African city which, even though it has undergone
some rapid development in recent years, has managed to retain its sense
of identity – an identity that is reflected in both the old and
the newer areas where the customs and traditions of the people continue
to thrive as before.
Groupe of minimum 6 participants: 1.260 euro each person in double room
Groupe of 4-5 participants: 1.440 euro each person
Groupe of 2-3 participants: 2.040 euro each person
Supplement single room 300 euro.
Full board from the breakfast of the second day till the breakfast of the last day
The prices don't include the international flight from and to the country of origin
For more informations: transafrica@transafrica.biz
 |
 |
 |